Are bike lights legally required at night?

Washington State law requires cyclists to have a bike light when riding at night. (Aubrey Cohen/seattlepi.com)

Q: Is there a law requiring bicyclists in Seattle have a light on their bike if they’re riding at night?

If so, what’s the fine?

A: Yes.

State law requires bicyclists to have a bike light when riding at night. It’s outlined in section 46.61.780 of the Revised Code of Washington.

(1) Every bicycle when in use during the hours of darkness as defined in RCW 46.37.020 shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the state patrol which shall be visible from all distances up to six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.

A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector. A light-emitting diode flashing taillight visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may also be used in addition to the red reflector.

As to the fine, staff at the King County Law Library consulted the Infraction Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction.